Evergreen Cocoa Berry Smoothie (Printable)
Rich cocoa paired with antioxidant berries and fresh greens for a wholesome, energizing blend.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Fruits & Greens
01 - 1 cup frozen mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)
02 - 1 small ripe banana
03 - 1 cup fresh baby spinach, packed
→ Liquids
04 - 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
05 - 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or honey (optional)
→ Flavor & Nutrition
06 - 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
07 - 1 tablespoon chia seeds or ground flaxseed
08 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
09 - Pinch of sea salt
→ Toppings (optional)
10 - Fresh berries
11 - Shaved dark chocolate
12 - Granola
# How-To Steps:
01 - Add mixed berries, banana, spinach, almond milk, cocoa powder, chia seeds, vanilla extract, sea salt, and maple syrup (if using) into a blender.
02 - Blend on high speed for about one minute until creamy, scraping down the sides as needed.
03 - Taste and add more maple syrup or honey to sweeten if desired. If too thick, blend in a splash more almond milk.
04 - Pour into two glasses and garnish with fresh berries, shaved dark chocolate, or granola if desired.
05 - Serve the smoothie at once for best flavor and texture.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It tastes like dessert but delivers serious antioxidants and fiber to actually fuel your day.
- Ready in under 10 minutes, which means you can make it even on mornings when you're running late.
- Naturally dairy-free and packed with enough protein from chia seeds to keep you satisfied until lunch.
02 -
- Don't blend the spinach separately—adding it raw with everything else means it breaks down evenly and stays completely hidden.
- Cocoa powder without sweetener can taste bitter if your berries aren't quite ripe enough, so taste as you go and add maple syrup a drizzle at a time.
03 -
- Keep frozen berries and banana slices in the freezer at all times—this smoothie turns from a nice idea into an actual habit when the ingredients are always ready.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder is non-negotiable here; sweetened versions will throw off the whole balance and make it cloying instead of rich.